2-Day Djerba to Tozeur Safari Tour: Sahara & Cave Villages

Salt lakes, sand dunes, and Berber cave houses across two days in the Sahara

A 2-day tour from Djerba into southern Tunisia's desert interior, visiting Tozeur's old medina and palm groves, the vast Chott El Jerid salt lake, Douz's golden dunes, and Matmata's rock-carved Berber homes plus the Star Wars filming location at Sidi Idriss. Includes one night in a 4-star hotel with half board, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a private guide in English, French or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Djerba to Tozeur via desert and oases

• Depart from Djerba to Chott El Jerid
• Visit Chebika oasis village
• Lunch in Tamaghza palm grove
• Visit Ong Jmel Star Wars site
• Arrive in Tozeur and check in hotel
• Dinner and overnight in Tozeur

Day 2: Tozeur, Douz desert and Matmata visit

• Visit old medina of Tozeur
• Optional carriage ride in palm grove
• Travel to Douz desert port
• Optional camel or quad bike ride
• Lunch in Bedouin restaurant
• Visit Matmata cave house
• Visit Star Wars site in Sidi Idriss
• Return to Djerba

The experience

You leave Djerba in the morning and drive south toward Chott El Jerid, a sprawling salt lake that stretches across the desert floor. The route passes through Chebika, an oasis village tucked at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, where you stop to see the ancient ruins and take in the panoramas. Lunch is a typical meal in Tamaghza, another small oasis settlement, so you taste the local food as you go. In the afternoon you reach Ong Jmel, the iconic rock formation used as a Star Wars filming location, before arriving in Tozeur for dinner and the night at a 4-star hotel.

On the second day, you start in Tozeur's old medina (the narrow streets and traditional architecture of the city center) with the option to take a carriage ride through the palm grove if you want. Then it's on to Douz, known as the desert's gateway, where you can choose between a camel ride or a quad bike adventure across the large sand dunes (both optional). A Bedouin restaurant lunch follows before you head to Matmata, a village built into the earth with houses carved directly into the rock. You visit a traditional cave house with a Berber family to see how they live, then drive to the Star Wars filming site at Sidi Idriss before returning to Djerba.

The tour runs with a private guide who speaks English, French or German, and hotel pickup from Djerba is included. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the long desert drives. One night's accommodation comes with half board (breakfast and dinner), so you eat at the hotel both evenings. Optional activities like the camel ride, quad bike and carriage ride are not included in the price and can be arranged on the day.

What’s included

• All entrance fees for the sites on the itinerary.
• one night at a 4-star hotel in Tozeur with breakfast and dinner.
• air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• private guide in English, French or German.
• hotel pickup from Djerba.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to1d before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TRAVEL EST TUNISIA

Is this one for you?The tour is shared with a private guide rather than a group, and the fixed 2-day schedule means you see the medina, the salt lake, the dunes and the cave village all in one trip without arranging transport or accommodation yourself. Choose this if you want to cover the main Sahara destinations from Djerba without spending three or four days on the road, or if you prefer not to drive in the desert yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

What is Chott El Jerid and what will I see there?

Chott El Jerid is a vast salt lake spread across the desert floor in southern Tunisia. You stop there on the first day to see the dramatic landscape and take in the views of the surrounding desert.

Can I ride a camel or quad bike on this tour?

Yes, both are available as optional activities in Douz on the second day. You can choose one or the other, or neither. They are not included in the tour price and you arrange them when you arrive.

What are the Berber cave houses in Matmata like?

Matmata is a village where traditional Berber homes are carved directly into the rock rather than built above ground. You visit one of these houses with a family living there to see the interior layout and learn how people have lived this way for generations.

Is the Star Wars filming site included on both days?

No, you visit Ong Jmel, a Star Wars location, on the first day near Tozeur. On the second day you see the Star Wars site at Sidi Idriss near Matmata. Both are included in the tour.

What meals are provided and what about drinks?

Breakfast and dinner are included at the 4-star hotel in Tozeur both nights (half board). Lunch on both days is a typical local meal at a restaurant along the route. Drinks are not included and you pay for them separately.

How much time do I spend driving each day?

The first day involves several stops (Chebika, Tamaghza, Ong Jmel) before reaching Tozeur in the evening. The second day includes Tozeur's medina, Douz, Matmata and Sidi Idriss before returning to Djerba. Exact driving times depend on how long you spend at each stop.